Fat Tuesday
Feb. 9. Let yourself go and indulge in multiple Mardi Gras celebrations around Los Angeles. Sassafras debuts new cocktails during a night of live music a crawfish boil. Little Dom’s pulls out all the stops with NoLA fare like po’ boys, jambalaya, beignets and king cake. Terrine gets in on the action with Creole specials like crawfish gumbo, shrimp and grits, rabbit and rice boudin, crab étouffée, beignets and chicory-coffee pudding with plenty of sazeracs at the bar.
WP24
For the first time ever, Wolfgang Puck celebrates with a Traveling Night Market, debuting in Los Angeles at WP24 on Feb. 9, and continuing at his restaurants throughout the world. The evening event begins with a “night market” featuring live stations preparing Chinese delicacies, followed by the festive tradition of a colorful lion’s dance, and concluding with a sumptuous three-course dinner. You can also dine on a special Chinese New Year menu at the restaurant from Feb. 10-19. 900 W Olympic Blvd., downtown, 213.743.8824. wolfgangpuck.com
Winsome
The newest restaurant from Marc Rose and Med Abrous (The Spare Room), is now open at The Elysian in Echo Park. Dine at the neighborhood eatery for breakfast, lunch and coffee service to start, with dinner and drinks to follow shortly. The team includes Chef Jeremy Strubel (Rustic Canyon) and Pastry Chef Leslie Mialma (République). Look forward to dishes like charred escarole chicken soup, harissa chicken salad sandwich, semolina pancake with seasonal preserves and chestnut honey. Upcoming dinner entrees include rockfish boil and simmer with grilled rockfish and toasted semolina couscous; and braised beef cheek. 8 a.m.-3 p.m. 1115 Sunset Blvd., L.A., 213.415.1818. eatwinsome.com
Spring
The husband and wife team of Restaurateur Yassmin Sarmadi and Executive Chef Tony Esnault bring their latest restaurant to the historic Douglas Building in downtown Los Angeles. This is the second restaurant from the team which also chefs/operates beloved downtown French bistro Church & State. And while the fare will be French by design Esnault aims to lighten it up, focusing on seafood and olive oil prominent in Southern France. The restaurant is now serving lunch with dinner service to begin Feb. 19. You can get a taste of their dinner offerings by dining at the restaurant on Valentine’s Day. 257 S. Spring St., downtown, 213.372.5189. SpringLosAngeles.com
Spartina
Chef/Restauranteur Stephen Kalt is in full swing with Spartina, his market-driven Italian restaurant on Melrose Ave. He opened the original Spartina in Tribeca in 1994, which was soon rated one of the best neighborhood restaurants in New York. The 100-seat dining destination features indoor/outdoor seating and vintage elements like Charlotte Perriand-inspired bar stools, merged with custom French Blue tables. Dine on signature dishes like spaghettini with white and black garlic and Calabrian chiles; burrata raviolo with sea urchin, shiso and basil; grilled avocado with Moroccan lemon, Calabrian chile oil and ricotta salata; and broken lemon tart with seascape strawberries for dessert. They’re also featuring a delicious four-course Valentine’s Day menu. 7505 Melrose Ave., L.A., 323.782.1023. spartina.la
Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day in Los Angeles spreads out over a whole weekend this year with many of the city’s top restaurants getting in on the culinary action. We’ve spotlighted menus and specials around the city in our Los Angeles Valentine’s Day Dining Guide.